Patriots Should Get Full Monty This Season

Why yes, yes I do hate that headline. But, other than making you cringe, there is a point to it.

Luis Montanez is excited to be back. Legitimately excited to be back. That isn’t always the case for players who get picked up out of the Atlantic League that have to come back — sour attitudes are often covered up by cliches in print — but Montanez is different.

He was opening his itinerary for spring training, when Patriots PR man Marc Russinoff called and told him some silly beat writer wanted to talk to him.

“Having those forms and speaking to you guys, I know the season is getting really close, and it’s time to start getting busy and ready for competition,” he said via cell phone.

Montanez was a big part of last year’s team during the first half. The former third overall draft pick of the Chicago Cubs hit .313 with six home runs and 41 RBI in 52 games with Somerset before getting picked up by the Angels organization in mid-June. But, as injuries derailed his attempt to get back to the big leagues, he couldn’t help but focus on what the team he left was doing in the playoffs. He wanted to play for another championship. He genuinely missed being in Somerset.

In comments you saw in Wednesday’s paper, he said leaving was bittersweet. That’s why staying this year seems like a much more realistic option than perhaps it had in the past.

“The goal is always to get back to the big leagues, but if I don’t, I definitely want to stay the whole year and compete for a championship,” he said.

Montanez. Monty. Staying a full year. Full Monty? No? Nobody? You guys still aren’t on board with that? Understandable. Just as it would be if Montanez were to be surprised he has to come back to Somerset, despite the injuries. He isn’t.

“At my age (32), it’s tough to get jobs early,” he said. “The organizations want to get a good look at all the young players, the draft picks, the prospects. It’s a different route you have to take at a certain age and a certain point in your career. So I’m not surprised. The quality of the baseball in the Atlantic League is getting better and better every year…it’s not like it’s a bad thing. I only have positive things to (say) about (the league).”

Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com

About Mike Ashmore

A lifelong resident of the Three Bridges section of Readington, Mike Ashmore is a 2001 graduate of Hunterdon Central Regional High School who began his career covering professional sports two years later. Since then, he's covered countless other teams and events ranging from the Stanley Cup Final to the UFC as a freelancer working in the area. Mike will add to his over 450 games of experience covering the Somerset Patriots by finishing out the season as MyCentralJersey.com's beat writer for the team.

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About the Author

Mike AshmoreA lifelong resident of the Three Bridges section of Readington, Mike Ashmore is a 2001 graduate of Hunterdon Central Regional High School who began his career covering professional sports two years later. Since then, he's covered countless other teams and events ranging from the Stanley Cup Final to the UFC as a freelancer working in the area. Mike will add to his over 450 games of experience covering the Somerset Patriots by finishing out the season as MyCentralJersey.com's beat writer for the team.E-mail Mike

Ryan DunleavyRyan Dunleavy has covered Rutgers athletics for more than a decade, dating back to his days as a student at his alma mater. He became New Jersey Press Media’s Rutgers women’s basketball beat writer in 2009 and Rutgers football beat writer in 2013. Since joining the staff in 2004, the Morris County native also has covered the NFL, MLB, NBA, the Somerset Patriots and high school sports.E-mail Ryan